In a turn of events that I would’ve never seen coming, I actually loved skiing and was somehow the best in my class today (I was the ONLY person who didn’t fall! That has never happened to me!). Today, I learned how to turn, stop, hop, put my skis on, take my skis off, and I successfully skied down the bunny hill. All before lunchtime.

My extensive athletic background of cheerleading and yoga somehow lent itself to the balance aspect of this sport. I’m just still in shock that I really enjoyed myself. This trip has definitely made me a fan of winter weather vacations – as if I needed another reason to taste-test hot chocolate.

I did have a very hard time getting used to walking in the boots without skis and an even tougher time lugging my own skis around, which I swear felt like half my body weight. Maybe I’m just weak (definitely I’m just weak…). Thank goodness I had my amazing father here to help (skiing was his idea)!

Such a successful morning of skiing deserved an equally fantastic afternoon at the Four Seasons Spa. One of our Virtuoso amenities, which I’m able to get any client who books the Four Seasons Vail through me, is a $100 spa credit. We’re running out of time in the city and it would literally pain me to leave a spa credit unused, so I booked a 25 minute head, neck, and shoulder treatment.

Good. Lord. I wish I had another day just to have a spa day at the Four Seasons. That 25 minute treatment was just enough to leave me wanting more. Prior to my appointment, I enjoyed the resort’s facilities, which are open to all guests staying on property. The outdoor heated pool and hottub were my favorite feature – it’s an awesome experience paired with the 30 degree temperatures. I also took some time to enjoy the indoor hottub, which was huge, and the steam room, all pictured here:

“Apres Ski” means “Go to the Spa” in French, right?

After the spa treatment, we decided to take a sleigh ride, which was my mother’s number one request for her birthday trip. Since Vail only recently received snow, none of the long sleigh ride & dinner packages were open yet. Instead, we did a 25 minute ride outside of Beaver Creek, which was a nice little stroll in several circles around the property.

We did a few figure eights and spent most of the 30 minute ride waiting for the horses to catch their breath. We also listened to the insanely dumb questions from the grown women in front of us:

“Are these horses friends?”

“Does someone live in that teepee?”

“Are they wearing their shoes right now?”

…Seriously?

While the ride itself wasn’t much of an adventure, getting to the stables was quite the experience.

One of the many great things about the Four Seasons Vail is that they let guests “check out” one of the resort’s brand new Mercedes. Just present a driver’s license, sign one piece of paper, and you are handed the keys to a $50,000 car with a full tank of gas. For free. It’s first come first serve and is a fantastic value from the resort (on top of their complimentary chauffeured transfers to anywhere between Vail and Lionshead). We have truly been blown away by everything the Four Seasons offers – they go above and beyond to ensure that guests have the time of their lives, just like we have.

So, this super-trusting property allowed my father, who has never driven in snowy conditions, behind the wheel in order to get us to the sleigh ride site. Needless to say, it was an experience going 45 in a 75 and watching Dad panic as we encountered icy road after icy road. I’m proud of him for getting us there and back in one piece, especially with that Mercedes on the line…

He drove THAT car down THAT snow covered hill, you guys. What a champ.

We have fallen so in love with Vail that we’re not ready to even think about leaving. That’s how you know you’ve had a great trip. Tip for the traveler: I wouldn’t come back here for less than seven days. Five was just not enough! There’s so much to see, taste, try, and experience that this is definitely a place we’ll be returning to. Not only that, Colorado has made the short list of places I’d love to live – the scenery is just astounding.

Even driving down the road leaves me in awe. It’s day four and we’re still the family pointing out icicles and frozen fountains. We just can’t get enough and I’d highly recommend the destination to anyone!

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About Lindsey

Lindsey Epperly is the founder of Epperly Travel and has worked as a luxury travel consultant since 2009. When she isn’t traveling or planning travel, she is passionate about sharing her personal story of growth as a business owner with other entrepreneurs. Contact her today at lindsey@epperlytravel.com to start planning your next journey!